I'm wondering how easy it is to remove the factory installed mud flaps and especially if doing so would leave ANY marring of the finish or any other type of blemish. The reason for this is that I find the design of the mud flaps for the leaf are very good at catching snow and ice as you drive and doing so in a way that you can't just kick it off. If you let it continue to build, I've gotten to a point where the tires just continually rub on the ice and the mileage really tanks (1.5 mi/kWh or so even after the road itself is clear)... you can really feel the extra resistance slowing the car down. If I try to poke the ice out with something, I'm worried about damaging the mud flap, tire, or wheel well. I will add that other than this, I think the Leaf handles excellently in the snow and ice! Better than most other two wheelers.